Sale 1244 — The Arthur S. Przybyl Collection of United States, Confederate States and Hawaii
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 9-10 November, 2021
Category — 1851-56 Issue (Scott 5-17)
1c Dark Blue, Ty. I (5). Position 7R1E, huge margins to in, but still showing the identifying characteristics of the type, large sheet margin at top, deep rich Dark Blue shade from a later printing from Plate 1 Early, bold strike of "New York" large slug dateless circle handstamp which was used exclusively on printed matterA FINE AND SOUND EXAMPLE OF THIS MAJOR CLASSIC RARITY. POSITION 7R1E--THE SEVENTH STAMP IN THE RIGHT PANE OF PLATE ONE EARLY--IS THE ONLY ONE OF THE 1,000 POSITIONS USED TO PRINT IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT STAMPS THAT SHOWS THE COMPLETE DESIGN (TYPE I).
The census compiled by Jerome S. Wagshal, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/5 , contains at least 98 unduplicated records of Scott 5. There are probably no more than ten examples existing outside of the Wagshal census population. Therefore, the 1c 1851 Type I is the rarest of all United States stamps issued regularly prior to the 1868 Grills.
The 1c 1851 Types I and Ib Imperforate stamps (Scott 5 and 5A) come exclusively from Plate 1 Early. Examples in this Dark Blue shade are exceedingly rare, and were probably printed just prior to the plate alteration in the spring of 1852 (known as Plate 1 Late).
Stanley B. Ashbrook opined about the "New York" circle with large slug at center: "I believe it was used only on printed circulars as I have never seen its use on a drop letter." Ashbrook also states that the earliest recorded use of this cancel is November 5, 1851 (see Sale 994, lot 702), and the latest is January 1, 1852. This date range also fits with the Dark Blue shade of this stamp.
Wagshal census no. 5-CAN-090.
1c Blue, Ty. Ib (5A). Position 5R1E, original gum, large margins to in at top including part of adjoining stamp at left, crisp early shade and impressionA FINE AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE Ib IMPERFORATE. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL UNITED STATES CLASSIC STAMPS IN UNUSED CONDITION, AND ESPECIALLY WITH ORIGINAL GUM.
Type Ib was produced only as an imperforate stamp. Six positions on Plate 1 Early furnished stamps qualifying as Type Ib--Positions 3-6R and 8-9R--distinguished by the complete design at top and nearly complete design at bottom. When first entered on the plate, these six positions (as well as 7R1E) had the complete design at top and bottom. However, unlike 7R, small portions of the bottoms were burnished away.
Based on our familiarity with Plate 1 Early singles and multiples with original gum, we are confident that the gum on this stamp is original. It is described as original gum on 2000 and 2016 P.S.E. certificates, but two earlier P.F. certificates (1988 and 1989) described this stamp as regummed.
A thorough search of past auctions and our own extensive records produced a result that surprised us. The unique unused block of eight from Plate 1E contains Position 7R1E (Scott 5) and five Type Ib stamps (with faults). The famous ex-Waterhouse copy of Position 7R1E is joined with a pair of Type Ib stamps (this unused unit is currently owned by William H. Gross). The multiples, containing a total of seven Type Ib stamps, really do not fit the needs of collectors who want a single unused example of Scott 5A. We located fewer than half a dozen unused singles--with or without gum--and we were surprised at the conspicuous absence of any unused Scott 5A stamps in several major name sales, including Wagshal.
Ex Robert R. Hall and "Alan". With 2000 and 2016 P.S.E. certificates as original gum. Also with 1988 and 1989 P.F. certificates as regummed (incorrectly, in our opinion). Scott value as original gum
1c Blue, Ty. Ia (6). Position 97R4, with curl in "C" of "Cent", large margins to touched at top, nicely showing the complete type-defining scrolls at bottom, unobtrusive town circular datestamp cancel, small tear at bottom left and tiny creases top right and bottom right cornersFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT TYPE Ia IMPERFORATE WITH THE CURL IN "C" OF "CENT" VARIETY.
The Curl in "C" of "Cent" variety was caused by a thread adhering to the relief on the transfer roll. This also caused the Curl on Shoulder variety on Position 97L4. The Curl in "C" variety was used by Neinken on p. 275 of his 1c book as additional proof that the same relief was used to enter the 6th and 10th rows of the plate. Neinken states that the thread attached itself to the relief on the transfer roll after Position 57R4 was entered. The variety is then found on Position 97R4 (the position offered here and the first position to receive the variety) and also on Positions 56R4, 96R4, 55R4 and 95R4. The thread either dropped off or was removed after entry of 95R4, as 54R4, the next position to be entered from this relief, does not show the variety.
With 2003 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. II, Plate 3 (7 var). Position 92L3, unused (no gum), large margins to clear including part of adjoining stamp at top, bright colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE AND BEAUTIFUL UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 TYPE II IMPERFORATE FROM PLATE 3.
With 1992 and 2007 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85). Scott value as original gum
1c Blue, Ty. III (8). Plate 4, deep rich color, large margins to in at top, red circular datestamp, fresh and Fine, ex Lutwak, with 1976 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (8A). Plate 1E, huge margins to full at top, including portion of adjoining stamp at bottom, bold grid cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1993 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Recut once at top and bottom, original gum, hinged at top and small area of gum loss confined to bottom right corner, dark shade, full even margins, Very Fine, with 2007 (for pair) and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, VF 80; SMQ $775.00)
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Recut once at top and bottom, huge margins to clear including parts of adjoining stamps on three sides, bright color, bold strikes of New York circular datestamp , Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.F. (VF-XF 85 Jumbo) and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $175.00)
3c Orange Brown, Ty. II (10A). Original gum, hinged at top, ample to full margins all around, wonderful depth of color and detailed impressionFRESH AND VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1851 TYPE II ORANGE BROWN.
This stamp is scarce in sound original-gum condition with four margins. With 1991 P.F. certificate
3c Orange Brown, Type II (10A). Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, rich "copperish" shade, large margins to ample for this narrowly spaced issue, bottom left stamp small toned speck and crease at bottom ending in a tiny tearEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 3-CENT 1851 TYPE II ORANGE BROWN.
Ex Caspary, Lilly, Klein, Gross, and from our 1995 Rarities sale
1c Blue, Ty. II, Chicago Perf 12-1/2 (7 var). Plate 2, deep shade, cancelled by Chicago circular datestamp, faults including expertly reperfed at rightA FINE APPEARING AND COLLECTIBLE EXAMPLE OF THIS MAJOR CLASSIC RARITY--APPROXIMATELY 20 EXAMPLES OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 CHICAGO PERF ARE RECORDED.
The origin of the Chicago perforation was revealed in an article published by Jerome S. Wagshal in Chronicle 130 (May 1986). To briefly summarize Mr. Wagshal’s revelations, the inventor of the machine used to create the Chicago Perf stamps was Dr. Elijah W. Hadley, a Chicago dentist. He probably constructed the machine in 1854. Over a two-year period, beginning in November 1854, Dr. Hadley’s device was offered for sale to the Post Office Department thru R. K. Swift, a prominent Chicago banker and businessman. The distinctive 12-1/2 gauge Chicago Perf was applied to sheets of the 1c (Plates 1 Late and 2) and 3c 1851 Issue, the former being considerably rarer. According to the census of Chicago Perf items compiled by W. Wilson Hulme II (Chronicle 175, Aug. 1997), a total of 19 examples of the 1c Chicago Perf were recorded up to that time, comprising 2 unused, 5 used on covers and 12 used off cover (including a strip of three). We added an additonal stamp to that total in our 2020 Rarities sale.
Ex Wagshal. With copy of 1968 P.F. certificate
3c Dull Red, Ty. II, Chicago Perf 11 (11A var). Position Position 80R2L, unused (no gum), perforations mostly clear, couple small faults and light soilingFINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF 33 RECORDED EXAMPLES FROM THE "SAMPLE A" SHEET WITH THE HADLEY 11-GAUGE CHICAGO PERFORATIONS.
This stamp is from the top right position of the Chase block of 21 pictured in his book on p. 176. A total of 33 "Sample A" Chicago Perf stamps are recorded, including a block of nine, two blocks of six and a block of four. There are four contiguous stamps from the Chase piece that have not been accounted for and may or may not still exist as a block. The examples from the "Sample A" sheet are the only known unused 3c stamps with Chicago perforations. There are no known unused examples with the gauge 12-1/2 perforations.
Ex Wagshal. With 1975 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (12). Original gum, three large margins, ample at left, deep rich color and detailed impressionVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE SOUND, FOUR-MARGIN ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE.
The 5c stamp was issued in 1856, five years after the 1c, 3c and 12c values and one year after the 10c were issued. It was typically used to pay the 5c shore-to-ship rate for mail sent overseas and also in multiples for the 10c transcontinental or 15c U.S.-French treaty rates.
With the exception of some rare types of the 1c and 10c, such as Scott Nos. 5 and 16, the 5c stamp is the most difficult denomination to obtain with four margins in sound original-gum condition. The spacing between stamps was very narrow, leaving little margin for error when separating the stamps, which explains why so few examples are known with four margins.
Ex Cole and from our 1989 Rarities sale. With 1989, 1999 and 2014 P.F. certificates
5c Red Brown (12). Full margins, rich color, light and essentially face-free cancel, we mentioned a tiny corner crease at bottom right when we last offered this stamp in 2007 but it does not flash as a crease when drying and is probably just a natural paper bend, Very Fine appearance
10c Green, Ty. I (13). Mostly large margins including part of bottom sheet margin, full to large margin at right, deep rich color on fresh paper, San Francisco circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Unused (no gum), large margins to clear, deep rich color and sharp early impression, natural paper inclusion at left is barely noticeable from the front, Very Fine, with 1984 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Large to huge margins including left sheet margin, unusually dark shade, unobtrusive circular datestamp cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine
10c Green, Ty. III (15). Original gum, lightly hinged, ample to clear margins, intense shade and impressionVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE III IMPERFORATE.
With 1993 and 2002 P.F. certificates
10c Green, Ty. III (15). Part disturbed original gum, large to full margins, intense shade and impression, corner crease at lower left, Very Fine appearance, ex Frelinghuysen, small backstamp, Scott value as full original gum
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 55L1, recut at bottom, part original gum (more than half), large margins to clear, rich color, sealed tear at left, some toning at topFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE IV WITH PART ORIGINAL GUM. ONE OF THE MOST ELUSIVE OF ALL CLASSIC UNITED STATES STAMPS IN UNUSED CONDITION.
Ex Hoffman. Scott value as full original gum
10c Green, Ty. IV (16). Position 86L1, recut at top, large margins all around, neat manuscript "3" cancel, Extremely Fine, a lovely example of the 1855 10c Type IV Imperforate, with 1991 P.F. certificate, Scott value as pen cancelled
12c Black (17). Original gum, full margins to just in at top right, thin spots and small toned spot, otherwise Fine, with 1975 A.P.S. certificate
12c Black, Part India Paper (17 variety) Positions 64-65/74-75L1, block of four, large part original gum with slight disturbance, full margins all around, proof-like impression on bright paper with fibrous surfaceVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE 12-CENT 1851 BLOCK ON PART INDIA PAPER.
The 3c and 12c 1851 Issue are both found on Part India paper, which is a handmade silky paper that varies in thickness within the same sheet. The Neinken 12c 1851-57 book (pp. 61-64) quotes from earlier publications by Ashbrook, Chase and Jaeger, which describe the look and feel of Part India stamps as "undoubtedly from the very first impressions from the Twelve Cent plate. The engravings are very sharp and resemble die proofs or plate proofs on India. The shades of both these items are of the earliest known, the distinctive grayish." This block from Positions 64-65/74-75L1 was joined with the block of nine on Part India paper from Positions 61-63/71-73/81-83L1, which was cut up after it was last sold (Sale 989, lot 61, 2005 P.F. certificate).
Ex Gross. With 1994 and 2019 P.F. certificates. Scott value $45,000.00 for a block of four on normal paper.